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7.09.2015

Map to the Starsby Jen MaloneExpected Publication: July 14th, 2015 by HarperTeen ImpulseSource: Edelweiss*I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinions stated

Author Jen Malone draws
on her real-life experiences as a movie studio publicist to bring you an
insider peek at love, Hollywood-style.

The California dream was
supposed to give seventeen-year-old Annie Shelton a fresh start far
removed from her dad’s unusual betrayal. But when things don’t go
according to plan in La La Land, Annie’s mom snags a last-minute gig as
makeup artist to a teen movie idol and finagles a spot for her daughter
on his European promotional tour.

Down-to-earth Annie would
rather fangirl architectural sights than an arrogant A-lister. That is,
until behind-the-scenes Graham Cabot turns out to be more sweetly
vulnerable than she could have imagined.

Too bad falling for a
poster boy isn’t all red carpets and star treatment, especially when you
factor in obnoxious fans, an overprotective assistant, a stage
mom/manager, and a beefy bodyguard.

But it isn’t until the paparazzi make an appearance that things get really sticky…

Okay, so many of you know my feelings on novellas. Rest assured, Map to the Stars is not that! Listed at 281 pages, Map to the Stars is a quick read about Annie Shelton being thrown into the spotlight when her mother gets a job doing make up for one of the biggest teen heartthrobs who Annie then falls for. AKA my secret dream.

Okay, so not the paparazzi. And I probably wouldn't want to have to dress up as a guy so that I could go out with my boyfriend and then get caught by the paps and basically feel responsible for tanking his career. BUT OTHERWISE. Yes, I dream about magically meeting Harry Styles and somehow being just too irresistible for him and his wallet. (You might think I'm kidding. Think again. I'm a poor college student looking at $150,000+ of debt if I go into veterinary medicine. I AM AS GOLDDIGGER AS THEY COME. Also, I want to live in an expensive loft so you know.)

"This was the crazy stuff soccer matches made the news for and I was positive I didn't want to be killed in the Great Perfumed Pistachio Trample of London."

Anyway. Graham and Annie sure have some funny and enjoyable interactions. It all definitely moves pretty fast, but you can't really expect slow burn from a digital short. They're forced to get up to some hi-jinx to avoid both his bodyguard and the fans and paparazzi at points, and it was so entertaining.

Annie is super into architecture, and although I wish that had played a little more important of a part, it added some dimension to her. She was rightfully angry at Graham when he deserved it and didn't just forgive him automatically because he was pretty. And honestly? While I think some people may be annoyed at Annie's narration and how quick she is to get a little flustered and blushy around Graham and wonder if he's interested in her? I think that's super realistic. When I was younger, if I caught a guy looking at me - or, more likely, they were looking at the wall or something and I just thought they were looking at me - I immediately began to go "OOOH!!!" and, well, you get the idea. These days I just wonder if my hair's gone insane or there's something on my face, but it wasn't always like that.

"Whoever said, 'Just sleep on it and everything will look better in the morning' clearly never took down an A-lister's career with a kiss."

One thing I absolutely hated? Graham nicknamed Annie Pickles. PICKLES. IT WAS SUCH A PAIN TO READ IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I would personally never let a guy call me that. And if he refused to listen, I would dump him right there. But that's just me.

Graham has never been that entitled asshole superstar, but he still goes through plenty of growth in Map to the Stars. His entire life, everyone else has been pulling the strings. And he's gone along with it because he doesn't want to hurt anyone. But he learns to stand up for himself, for what he believes is right. So that's cool to read. (Also he's a pretty dreamy actor so there's that.)

And Map to the Stars does give a pretty quick and interesting glimpse at the film industry, like companies piggy-backing and splitting the costs of bringing reporters to places. I definitely learned some stuff I'd never even considered before, and Jen Malone used to work in the industry so I think I'm gonna trust her on those details!

Overall: Map to the Stars is a super fun, quick read. I think there could have been a little more substance - more details on the places they were visiting, the incredible architecture, etc. - but it isn't a full-length novel, so that's really to be expected. Graham and Annie have a sweet relationship full of the expected complications, and they go to some pretty hilarious lengths to keep everything a secret! 3 stars.

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7.09.2015

Let's Build a Map to the Stars...

Map to the Starsby Jen MaloneExpected Publication: July 14th, 2015 by HarperTeen ImpulseSource: Edelweiss*I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinions stated

Author Jen Malone draws
on her real-life experiences as a movie studio publicist to bring you an
insider peek at love, Hollywood-style.

The California dream was
supposed to give seventeen-year-old Annie Shelton a fresh start far
removed from her dad’s unusual betrayal. But when things don’t go
according to plan in La La Land, Annie’s mom snags a last-minute gig as
makeup artist to a teen movie idol and finagles a spot for her daughter
on his European promotional tour.

Down-to-earth Annie would
rather fangirl architectural sights than an arrogant A-lister. That is,
until behind-the-scenes Graham Cabot turns out to be more sweetly
vulnerable than she could have imagined.

Too bad falling for a
poster boy isn’t all red carpets and star treatment, especially when you
factor in obnoxious fans, an overprotective assistant, a stage
mom/manager, and a beefy bodyguard.

But it isn’t until the paparazzi make an appearance that things get really sticky…

Okay, so many of you know my feelings on novellas. Rest assured, Map to the Stars is not that! Listed at 281 pages, Map to the Stars is a quick read about Annie Shelton being thrown into the spotlight when her mother gets a job doing make up for one of the biggest teen heartthrobs who Annie then falls for. AKA my secret dream.

Okay, so not the paparazzi. And I probably wouldn't want to have to dress up as a guy so that I could go out with my boyfriend and then get caught by the paps and basically feel responsible for tanking his career. BUT OTHERWISE. Yes, I dream about magically meeting Harry Styles and somehow being just too irresistible for him and his wallet. (You might think I'm kidding. Think again. I'm a poor college student looking at $150,000+ of debt if I go into veterinary medicine. I AM AS GOLDDIGGER AS THEY COME. Also, I want to live in an expensive loft so you know.)

"This was the crazy stuff soccer matches made the news for and I was positive I didn't want to be killed in the Great Perfumed Pistachio Trample of London."

Anyway. Graham and Annie sure have some funny and enjoyable interactions. It all definitely moves pretty fast, but you can't really expect slow burn from a digital short. They're forced to get up to some hi-jinx to avoid both his bodyguard and the fans and paparazzi at points, and it was so entertaining.

Annie is super into architecture, and although I wish that had played a little more important of a part, it added some dimension to her. She was rightfully angry at Graham when he deserved it and didn't just forgive him automatically because he was pretty. And honestly? While I think some people may be annoyed at Annie's narration and how quick she is to get a little flustered and blushy around Graham and wonder if he's interested in her? I think that's super realistic. When I was younger, if I caught a guy looking at me - or, more likely, they were looking at the wall or something and I just thought they were looking at me - I immediately began to go "OOOH!!!" and, well, you get the idea. These days I just wonder if my hair's gone insane or there's something on my face, but it wasn't always like that.

"Whoever said, 'Just sleep on it and everything will look better in the morning' clearly never took down an A-lister's career with a kiss."

One thing I absolutely hated? Graham nicknamed Annie Pickles. PICKLES. IT WAS SUCH A PAIN TO READ IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I would personally never let a guy call me that. And if he refused to listen, I would dump him right there. But that's just me.

Graham has never been that entitled asshole superstar, but he still goes through plenty of growth in Map to the Stars. His entire life, everyone else has been pulling the strings. And he's gone along with it because he doesn't want to hurt anyone. But he learns to stand up for himself, for what he believes is right. So that's cool to read. (Also he's a pretty dreamy actor so there's that.)

And Map to the Stars does give a pretty quick and interesting glimpse at the film industry, like companies piggy-backing and splitting the costs of bringing reporters to places. I definitely learned some stuff I'd never even considered before, and Jen Malone used to work in the industry so I think I'm gonna trust her on those details!

Overall: Map to the Stars is a super fun, quick read. I think there could have been a little more substance - more details on the places they were visiting, the incredible architecture, etc. - but it isn't a full-length novel, so that's really to be expected. Graham and Annie have a sweet relationship full of the expected complications, and they go to some pretty hilarious lengths to keep everything a secret! 3 stars.

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ZOEY

Zoey's life revolves around monkeys and college but she is also fond of YA (and sometimes NA) books. Especially ones with kissing and cats. Forever favorites include THE RAVEN CYCLE and ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS. Feel free to contact her at uncreativelyzoey@gmail.com!